• Golf

McIlroy ends Wozniacki relationship

Wozniacki caddied for McIlroy during the Masters par-3 tournament © Getty Images

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Rory McIlroy has ended his two-year relationship with Caroline Wozniacki in a bid to regain his form on the golf course, according to reports in Ireland.

The two-time major champion has struggled this year, with his high-profile multi-million pound switch to Nike and problems with his management company among the blame.

But it seems the golfer has decided that jetting around the world to stay close to former tennis world No. 1 Wozniacki is the main issue.

A source close to the pair told the Irish Independent: "Yes they are over. It's a difficult time for them both but it is for the best in the long run.

"There were a lot of tears. She still has her profile picture on her social-networking site set as the two of them in happier times, but I can tell you the pair are no longer an item.

"Rory has a lot of respect for Caroline and their time together was good, but he feels it's time to move on now. And he wishes her nothing but the best."

Speaking exclusively to ESPN, South African legend Gary Player said: "If you're a young man like Rory, you can't play with worries.

"You can't have managerial problems, you can't have women problems. You've got to be out there and have a free mind. And that's why Arnold [Palmer], Jack [Nicklaus] and I won something like 55 majors between us. Because we had three wives that were very, very special.

"I can tell you, many of the pros that have done well divorced several times and they never quite reached the heights they could have if they had the wives that we had. So I've experienced this and seen this. Now I think he's on the road to success.

"He's got to find himself a wife that'll help him, actually almost dedicate her life to him being a success. And that's hard to find today, because women are extremely independent today. It's a very different time than when we were around."

The 24-year-old McIlroy will earn £3 million in appearance fees in Asia over the next four weeks.

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